Pyre (Phoenix in Flames Book 4) Read online

  This gave him something to think about. In Razar’s hurry to gain potential mates, had he failed to see where these women could best be used and where they might belong? Dumping them on a ship for lack of a better place was no good.

  Danger followed a warship, it was part of what they were. Ladonna belonged, she could do things for them that might make the difference between a loss and a win. It looked like George might also be a worthwhile addition to the crew, but the others were useless in a place like this. They caused fights to breakout between the males and enjoyed causing them.

  Only George did anything useful and she avoided the other females just as Ladonna did. The captain should have ask Razar to remove them but since he was only temporarily in the position, he lacked the confidence to do so. That left the rest of them to put up with the females’ antics.

  He had no patience for said antics especially since tomorrow they had a mission to complete. His males needed to be clear headed and ready for action. Ladonna may have the targets locked down, but they could still be dangerous.

  Politics annoyed him which was ironic since he was the heir apparent to what humans might call a clan chief. The Phoenix were secretive people, but the Mazlans knew all they needed to know. Razar knew which of them were in line for leadership and he insisted on having several of them in his military at any given time.

  He knew the reason for that. His generation would be closer to the Mazlans and know more about politics, or so Razar thought. All it had done for him so far is to make him dislike the whole process. Maybe that was the first step. What the hell did he know? Even by human standards he was young. Now that he knew he didn’t like politics, maybe he needed to work on changing them?

  One thing he was sure of, Ladonna knew how to handle people. Even the females she disliked. She tolerated them for the sake of the others. For those she did like, she was a funny and interesting person to hang out with. Her talents were many and varied starting with all things business and going on from there.

  Why he’d ever held back from a relationship with her, he couldn’t say now. Once their mission was over he intended to pursue her with single minded devotion. How she would react, he had no clue. He could only hope she’d be receptive to him.

  He began to check through the call logs and saw Razar had called three hours ago in the middle of Loretta’s shift. Going back, he saw Cash had called before that. There were no signs the calls had been forwarded so he did so now. Maybe she’d just forgotten to note they’d been sent on? That was probably overly optimistic thinking.

  Half an hour later, the captain rung him. “What the hell did you do, Pyre? I just got my ass reamed for not returning two important calls.”

  “Just be glad I rechecked the logs from when Loretta was on duty and forwarded the calls to you. It could have been worse.”

  “Why the hell did Razar send us those women?”

  “I think we know why. If I was you, I’d ask to keep George.”

  “George is a woman?”

  “If I was you, I would never repeat that. She is a genius, according to just about everyone.”

  “The boy, er woman is talented. I’d hate to lose her. The others I want gone, but what can I say?”

  “Tell Razar the truth. I sent a report yesterday that apprised him of the trouble they are causing.” He admitted. “Just do the same and point out this problem. This was because Loretta was trying to flirt instead of work.”

  “Damn. She’s not any good anyway and she’s the best of them, other than George who doesn’t seem like one of them at all. You think Razar will take them away?”

  “He has no choice when they put missions at risk. Never doubt that he’s trying to do a good thing, it’s just not working like he hoped.”

  “What is this good thing he’s trying to do?” Captain asked.

  “Those women were freed from a hard life and he hopes to find mates for his warriors. Most of them are single and lonely.”

  “Okay, I see where he’s coming from, but they aren’t the kind of females these guys need. George or Ladonna are suited, the rest are a mess on the ship. That ringleader, hell I don’t even remember her name, should be ejected into space. That’s one hard cruel woman.”

  “Can’t disagree with you, but we don’t really know her. Razar needs to have them evaluated before he dumps them off on anyone else. I hope he learns something from this since he’s got thousands more Earth girl’s headed his way.”

  Captain’s face paled. “Thousands? Pluto help us.”

  “Yes, well I think we’ll have to help ourselves.”

  The captain disappeared from the screen probably to have a good stiff drink. Now he was left to finish out his shift and think about all the problems they had as the station in a remote part of space drew ever closer. He didn’t understand why he was on shift right before he led the attack on the criminals on the station, but it made more sense now that he’d seen that messages were being missed. Once the shift changed, he’d assign a regular communications officer if they had to give the guy a week off afterward. Communications during the mission were too sensitive to risk.

  He went through the roster and switched assignments around to cover key positions and made sure messages were sent to the reassigned warriors and their supervisors. Sometime in the morning, it would be on. The station would come in sight and they would dock.

  Not surprisingly, the most important member of the mission crew was Ladonna. She constantly had the criminals on the station located as well as all the potential weapons and any escape routes that they might take.

  Now he just had to finish this shift and claim whatever rest he could afterward before he was woke when the time was upon them. Easy enough, right? Except his mind was on a female as the minutes slowly dragged on. He wondered what Ladonna was doing and who was with her. Was it one of the males he disapproved of? A surge of anger rolled over him but he fought and gained control of it.

  Strong emotions were hard on his kind because they could burst into flames. That was not something he wanted to do nor would it make a good impression. Communications during the afternoon shift could be boring. With a couple hours left to go, boredom was killing him.

  No communications were coming in nor did he expect any until the mission started. All he could really do to pass the time was think of Ladonna and regret not moving on her sooner. Nevertheless, he still had a shot and a date once all this was over.

  Glint, his cousin, was on patrol roaming near the station making sure if anyone came or left, they would know right away. He’d be meeting up with them just before they moved on the station. Other than Tar, he was his best friend. It made him wonder what his cousin would think of Ladonna. Almost certain, his cousin would like her as everyone else did. At least those that weren’t eaten up with jealousy.

  Now he wondered if Ladonna would be willing to live at his home, at least most of the time. Once he was no longer serving Oison’s military, he would travel with her to the various stations she and Patty ran. That would only be fair.

  It was a relief hours later when someone came to take his place. He checked the name tag to be sure it was the person he had selected. “Thank you.” He said as he stood and left the bridge.

  His hope had been that he’d get at least half his usual sleep and when he was woke by Ladonna’s voice, he found he’d gotten a little more than that. She’d sent a whole lot of information to his tablet and he was fully informed as they headed toward the station that was now in sight. Glint was onboard and waiting for him with Ladonna in her meeting room.

  Hurriedly, he dressed and went to meet them. She’d had food delivered and everyone was eating and drinking when he arrived. “I fixed you a plate and a mug of coffee.” Ladonna motioned toward his seat. It was nice that she’d looked out for him.

  Eating quickly, as soon as he’d had a few bites and a sip of coffee, he was ready to get things started. “Anyone have any information that Ladonna might not?” He wasn’t surprised wh
en only Glint raised his hand.

  “I have the report from a month of circling your target like a damn buzzard. Only one ship in and it left quickly. I assume it was the one to pick up Randi. There is a large ship hovering around the second moon. I have no way of knowing if they are connected to your criminals. They’ve been there three days and were still in place when I left to join you.”

  “I doubt they can take on our warship. Did you send in their information?”

  “Yes, it came back as a merchant ship.”

  “Could they possibly have planned to stop at the station only to find it abandoned?” Ladonna asked.

  “Do you wonder about this or already know?” Pyre asked. He was beginning to figure her out.

  She grinned. “I connected with their computer. They are having trouble with their engines and fear they will be stuck here forever.”

  “Once the mission is complete. We will assist them.” Pyre offered.

  “Once the mission is complete the station will be open.” Ladonna pointed out.

  He was interested in seeing how she would open the station with just the hundred employees onboard. It was a large station, but Razar had agreed to carry one hundred people to the station for her. While he knew more would arrive soon after they departed, the station had laundry facilities, a garage, restaurants, and a grocery store that could stock ships, various gift shops, and entertainment facilities. There had been a place crew members could go to seek relief, but he wondered if Ladonna would have such a place on her station.

  “We will continue with the mission, but a close eye will be kept on the ship as an unknown element.” Now he went into details on the plan. “As you can all see here, Ladonna has isolated the targets from most of the station. This target is an undercover operative and to be treated with care. The targets do have weapons, but they will be dealt with beforehand. You should still use extreme caution when approaching them.” Ladonna had assured him that their weapons were poor ones and if hit by a certain energy wave would be unusable for a length of time.

  This was something he’d never heard of, but he trusted her to know things no one else did. Hopefully serious injuries on both sides would be avoided. They were almost to the station which though it was large, was still not large enough to dock the ship there. The teams would be going in on shuttles.

  He would overwhelm them with numbers hoping to take them easily. If none of them were crazy, it would work. Once he dismissed his team, they all went to the bay where the shuttles waited. They assembled in groups based on which shuttle they were taking.

  Regardless of his objection, Ladonna had been approved to accompany them. That made him angry. She was a computer nerd, not a fighter. “I can protect myself.” She assured.

  “Inexperienced people always say that until they’re attacked by vicious criminals.” He insisted. “You will stay behind me so I can watch out for you. Understand?”

  “I do.” She said as he began to walk to the elevator.

  He realized she rarely left her room. Was that by design or a coincidence? Well she was leaving it now. They took the elevator down arriving in the bay amid the others loading in their shuttles. It was crazy as everyone checked their papers and hurriedly took their place in line. His shuttle was at the front of the line and would leave first even though he, as the officer in charge of the mission, would load last once he assured all the others were where they needed to be.

  Ladonna stuck with him standing behind him and slightly to his right. That allowed her to watch the organized chaos. If he convinced her to be his mate, it was good that she understood exactly what he did.

  The shuttles were finally loaded with the officers in charge of each one calling out roll to be sure they were loaded properly and fully. They were. Escorting Ladonna to his shuttle, he made sure she was properly strapped in before sitting and signaling his pilot as he strapped himself in. They took off immediately.

  Those warriors in his shuttle were sneaking looks at Ladonna and him. It showed they were now aware the two of them were a couple. Good! Maybe they would stay away from his female. His female, that sounded good and hopefully when this mission was done, that was exactly what she would be. Right now he needed his head screwed on right for what was ahead. It was just hard not to think about her when she was right next to him with her wild sexy scent in his nose.

  Discipline comes over him and he does what he must. This mission is crucial for many reasons. The main one now is that this is the only station this far out on a major trade route. Merchant ships like the one orbiting the moon could be stuck here indefinitely with possibly the whole crew succumbing to lack of food and water. That is unacceptable.

  The shuttle docks at A dock which is closest to the main entrance as the others line up in a row. “Just like little ducks.” Ladonna whispers. He doesn’t know what these ducks are. Right now he doesn’t have the time to care.

  She opens the door and they enter an abandoned section no one has been in for a time. The air smells stale, but the system kicks on immediately and fresh air hits them. His female is doing what is needed for other teams as they enter through different doors and check in with him to be sure he wants them to move forward.

  Chapter 4

  Mission Complete

  Many things run through her mind as she monitors each team. Opening and closing doors, she also sets off a sound that will stop the older weapons the criminals use from working. Two criminals and the undercover agent have been taken into custody. The agent is simply sent to a shuttle, one that won’t hold any other prisoners.

  Pyre is stoked, he is obviously ready to conclude this mission. She wonders if he realizes they will have to stay until she has the station operational. If not, he’s in for a surprise. Razar wants this done so he can safely send out his merchant ships. Trade is what he is basing the new empire he is building on.

  The ship orbiting the moon is about to break free and come to them. She sends them a message telling them not to. In eight hours they will be set up to receive them. Everything will not be fully functional but emergency services will be able to deal with their needs. They send back a message agreeing to wait.

  Pyre is going in after the leader. ”Wait here.” He instructs. Like hell. She follows along behind him.

  The leader is the least sane of a crazy crew. Only the youngest, the sibling of the number two male is redeemable as he is. She has a soft spot for kids and Razar has already agreed to let her take him. She wasn’t sure what Pyre would say, but she’d cross that bridge when she came to it. The saying and the thought made her grin.

  “Why are you behind me and what are you grinning for?” Pyre asked.

  “Watch out!” She yelled, but Pyre was too slow.

  She pushed him out of the way and the guy came right at her with a club in hand. He tried to hit her but she moved with blinding speed. As the club went passed and the guy twisted, she kicked him hard sending him flying into the wall. His head made a sick crunching sound before he slid down the wall. He was out and he would be that way for a while.

  “I could have handled him, but you did a good job.” Pyre admitted.

  Well she had told him she could protect herself. Now he would believe it. Now the leader was in custody, the others fell easily. They all seemed to realize he’d been taken almost immediately. They had some kind of communication device and that upset her because she’d not known it. At least things had gone well regardless.

  Thirty two thugs plus the undercover and the youth. Not a large group, but apparently their bosses had thought they were large enough. With the proper firepower and had they gone unnoticed, they would have terrorized this part of space and been hard to remove. It was an argument for getting the job done quickly.

  “Aren’t we going to leave now?” Pyre asked.

  “You can, but I have to stay to get things started. My group on board also need to start shuttling over.”

  “I knew they would come here now, but I thought you would stay
on the ship.”

  “You thought wrong. I’m capable of physical work right along with my peeps.”

  “Peeps?”

  “My crew.”

  Pyre looked confused. “When are you coming back to the ship?”

  “Once I’ve got things running. You go ahead. I need to get on this and I know you need to deal with the prisoners.”

  It was obvious he didn’t want to leave her but he had to. “I’ll be back in the morning to check on you. Call me if anything happens.”

  Two hard working people with high pressure jobs would be a challenge to live together in a relationship. Maybe she was worried too soon. He’d only asked for a date, not a lifetime. It was time for her to get to work anyway. She started by taking stock of the kitchen in the cafeteria. It would be the only place to get food on the station until she had more people and supplies.

  By the time she’d run low on energy, it was late and she and all those now on the station were exhausted. “Let’s find the rooms for employees and clean them up so we have places to stay. Pick well, you’ll have it for a long time.” At least she hoped they would. She treated her people well so most of them stayed.

  The rooms weren’t bad, the criminals had taken hotel rooms for the largest part. Employee residences were more functional and less luxurious so they didn’t draw them in. Once all the rooms were done, everyone turned in right away. Even though she was hungry and sure they were too, tired trumped everything.

  In the morning breakfast would be a meal they all enjoyed. She’d staggered the kitchen crew so a third was on duty every eight hours. Someone would have food cooked tonight for the crew of the ship that had the emergency. The last third would have breakfast ready for whoever needed it.

  She dropped in the bed and fell asleep instantly. Her dreams revolved around a certain Phoenix. Crazy? Certainly and ready to jump into her first and possibly last relationship. Would he be there in the morning? Unless something dire happened she believed he would.